Federal Govt gives self pass mark

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan described yesterday the mid-term performance of his administration as creditable.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim, Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Minister of National Planning Shamsudeen Usman gave the government a pass mark.

President Jonathan launched a document on the performance of the government in the last two years at a ceremony organised to mark Democracy Day at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Lagos lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, said the government has not lived up to the expectations of Nigerians.

At the ceremony were former Heads of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Second Republic President Alhaji Shehu Shagari and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar did not attend.

Two foreign dignitaries – former Liberian President Amos Sawyer and former United States presidential aspirant Rev. Jesse Jackson attended.

Dr. Jonathan said his administration had done well but he faulted the recent assessment of his ministers by a national newspaper, wondering what kind of criteria was used for the assessment.

“I noticed that some ministers – National Planning, Trade and Investment – were scored average. From 2007, I have worked with two ministers of National Planning and two ministers of Trade and Investment; they have never done what has been done today.” He praised the minister in charge of the ministries.

“Today, we are marking the end of the first 24 months, which is our mid-term review and my duty is to formally present a document that all Nigerians will be able to read and assess us.

“So, I am not meant to talk and, of course, you have heard from the Planning minister, the Finance minister and the Secretary to the Government, that will give you the idea of what we have done.

“The idea is to formally present a document to all Nigerians about the activities of government in the past two years. I plead with all of us, especially those who want to assess and write about it, to develop criteria because without a marking scheme, you cannot mark any student’s paper. Two years of a government, this is what we have done, develop your marking scheme and score us.”

Presenting a report on the Economic Policy Framework (2011 -2013), Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said remarkable progress had been made in the economy.

She said Nigeria’s economy was strong and growing, adding that foreign reserve is $50 billion, up from $32.08 billion in May 2011.

Due to the level of foreign reserve, she said, foreign exchange has remained stable in the past two years.

According to Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is one of the fastest growing in the world. The GDP growth in 2013 is expected to be at 6.5% (NBS) or 7.2% (IMF).

Inflation rate, she said, has slowed down to 9.1% from 12.4% in May 2011.

She said: “Our economy has been growing. Inflation has been coming down. Our focus is to complete ongoing projects. The government is concerned about keeping our debts low. We have started retiring existing debts. We want to keep our debts at very manageable level.”

Noting that Nigeria’s export is shifting from oil to non-oil products, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said oil export is 70 per cent while non-oil export is 30 per cent.

The Excess Crude Account (ECA), component of external reserve, she said, rose from $4 billion in May 2011 to $9 billion in 2012 and $6 billion in May 2013.

ECA is now helping the economy as oil production has fallen from the projected 2.53 million barrels per day to between 2.1 and 2.2 million barrel per day, the minister said.

According to her, the cost of government is reducing – thanks to a policy to reduce recurrent expenditure and complete unfinished capital projects.

Recurrent expenditure dropped from 74.4% of total budget in 2011 to 68.7% in 2013.

Annual borrowing has reduced from N852 billion in 2011 to N588 billion in 2013.

The Minister also claimed that aggressive monitoring of contract threshold, encouraging whistle blowing, introduction of stiffer penalties and take-off of e-procurement led to savings of N420 billion at the end of 2012.

On the expenditure side, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) have resulted in N118.9 billion savings on the payroll cost, and that 58% of the budget is now being executed through Introduction of the Government Integrated Financial Management and Information System (GIFMIS).

Through the Treasury Single Account (TSA), she said, the government’s overdrawn position has dropped from N102 billion in 2011 to N19 billion in 2012.

To prevent corruption in the various pension schemes, she said: “All the pension schemes are now coming under one roof to check abuses.”

From the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), she said in 2012, the Federal Government got N180 billion, states – N154 billion and local governments – N76 billion for various projects.

While stating that Nigeria has become the highest destination for investment, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala noted that 22 airports were being refurbished simultaneously.

On power and water, she said: “There have been tangible improvements in our power sector. The privatisation that is going on now, will at the end boost the power sector. Seven water projects have been completed across the country.”

Giving an overview of the Transformation Agenda of the government, the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, said: “Mr. President is actually setting a record in Nigeria. He is raising the bar.”

According to him, about eight of the 14 key objectives set by the administration in 2011 have been achieved by the government.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said the government should not only be assessed by the physical infrasructure in place now but that there are many intangible achievements that have been recorded in the past two years.

Stressing that there have been stability and no interference with the legislature, he pointed out that INEC had been receiving great funds towards procuring permanent electoral materials, like permanent voters’ cards, among other things.

“We have recorded some progress, but a lot is yet to be achieved,” he said.

The Founder/President of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Right Rev. Jackson, warned that winning elections is not what matters, but the transformation carried out by the government.

He noted that Nigeria is the biggest democracy in Africa.

He said as the most populous black nation on earth, the entire black race expects much from Nigeria.

The chairman of the African Peer Review Mechanism and former President of the Interim Government of National Unity of Liberia, Prof. Amos Sawyer said that Nigeria is demonstrating the best practice of APRM.

Other dignitaries at the occasion included: First Lady Dame Patience, Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar.

There governors, Service chiefs, traditional rulers and students.

ANPP National Financial Secretary, Alhaja Fatima Muhammed said on the telephone last night that the PDP should be prepared to leave office after the 2015 elections when the All Progressives Congress (APC) will take over.

“Why will Jonathan say that he has performed with the security challenge in the country. We want change and that we will get in 2015. Jonathan should get ready to hand over power to the APC. No matter his plans to remain in power beyond 2015, Nigerians are tired of his regime. He is deceiving himself.

“Nigerians are aware of all the happenings in the country and only an APC government will solve the problems. I do not know what is giving Jonathan the confidence that he has performed in the last two years. His party members should advise him on what to do.

“Things have got worse compared to when Jonathan got into power. I am not saying that he should be impeached, all I know is that by 2015, the country will be singing another song of victory. The PDP government has ruled for 14 years without improvement in lives of the people. Nigerians are not enjoying the dividends of democracy.”

“People must understand that democracy is for us to stand up and demand what is right. This mid-term report that Jonathan is giving is his own idea of setting the exam and giving himself marks.

“It is only a very funny student that would set exams for himself and give himself marks. To even give a mid-term report today is a sign of un seriousness from the Federal Government, you don’t mark yourself, let the people asses you. When you begin to asses yourself, then there is a fundamental problem.

“I am not saying this for Jonathan alone; I say it for all the leaders, even down to the local governments. Our leaders have failed us.

“My take on this is this: If you say you have achieved and Nigerians are not seeing your achievements who are you achieving for? This is a made up achievement, there is no doubt there are no achievements here. If he says he will shock us with his achievements we cannot be shocked again. What I want to say is this; our leaders have failed us, not just the President but leadership at all level. There is no development.”

Can a student mark his own script? Can he pass himself? Anyone who looks at the mirror, of course, will see a very handsome figure. Who he is, is left for others to say. Okonjo Wahala said economy is growing. Of course it is growing in her pocket. These people are trained to lie with figures and statistics. They know how to juggle figures. Exactly the same thing they did the fuel subsidy debate. But the whole world later saw how mischievous they are.

DrP2

Two is not enough for long term policy maturity but it is enough to sprout green shoots and despite the international criteria of economic fundamentals used by govt. Those who like him would not be doing him any favors if we do not point out to him that much still needs to be done

The economic indices targeting is good but they must also target the social welfare indices….quality of life, cost and access to healthcare cost of basket of critical goods and services…..we thank God that egusi and Garri do not compete strongly in the international market but…local availabilty should remain in focus

Personally my score for the govt is strictly revolved around electricity and roads and how it affects several thing on that I score govt A effort and C for outcome because outcome has improved from F but we hope when the private people take over PHCN outcome will move to B and gradually A…I will judge the roads improvements from see if there is progress on critical road infrastructure like the Lagos Ibadan, Lagos Benin, East West Road etc.. for now A for effort and C for outcome

DrP2

For now we reserve judgement based on our areas of highest expectation electricity and critical infrastructure esp road, airports and rail on those… A for effort C for outcome …do more social welfare targetting

Coco-Bassey,Esu

d president said last year is d world most criticise president and dat he will shock nigerians by june 2015 and i have been watching to see ds shock since then,could this shock b d two faction chairmen in NGF,or d emergency rule,or rivers state crisis or d paper economy progress dat is not realistics as presented by d minister of finance?for power ther was a progressive improvement wen we have mr Barth Naji as power minister since his resignation,we went back to square one and i have waiting to see how mr Nebo pushing d demon out of power ministry,my kinda advise nd appeal to mr president pls used that zeal u r using to fight Amechi nd pursue d demons in power and give us stable power before 2015,then nigerians will live to remenber as they remenber OBJ in communication

african

If APC is so confident in resolving the insecurity in the North, it means they must be the sponsors trying to distabilise Nigeria and score political point. Why is APC always emphasising winning election and has never told us how they have assisted the people of the North to bring Peace. And the people are quick to trust party without manifesto or plans of what they will do that PDP has not done yet. Have they ever approached the boko haram boys and plea with them . They think Boko Haram is interested in their activities. The group is a virus that is here to stay as northern peoples culture until Nigeria disintegrate because their Ideology is violence and rebellious. With the blood they have shed so far; they will never change….APC is not even a party yet but they make more noise…similar to empty vessel. You don’t win election by pressure or blackmail but by coming up with manifesto, Nigerians choose you, contest , most of all…be recognised as poltical party first. It doesn’t make common sense when you go around criticizing those in school that they don’t know wat they are doing while you are not a registered student….its not easy as ABC to pass exam not an imaginary thing. I get to wonder if APC members are magicians.

Olatunde

Mr African or whatever you called yourself, can you see what people comment about. People comment on self coring card of the president not APC issue that you are talking about. you are not making any with this your comment. when president said boko aram are in his cabinent it APC appoint them. let president and pdp solve their problem (boko aram).

Shaba

Africans, you have said it all. What does APC have for Nigeria and Nigerians?

Peter Etteh

This fake African, you are talking like a paid agent. Instead of focussing on abusing APC, you should talk about the non-performance of the party in power. For 14 years, PDP has been handling the nation’s resources, yet the life of the people keep degenerating in poverty.
We need to show love to the nation. Instead of desperation on retaining power to continue in corruption, we should advise GEJ and his party to focus on genuine service to the people if they want to show honesty on the nation’s transformation.

EMENIKE DURU

The nation is not better off in Dr GEJ which is regretable. GEJ should start parking as 2015 approaches. His score is 0.1%

EMENIKE DURU

The president is showing the electorate his undemocratic traits in the on-going war between River state govt house versus the Aso Rock. what a shame

chidi mbah

Accessing with our fundamental needs I still see zero achievement,but accessing through paper and document pass mark is like there is unseen hope pls GEJ should focus more of resources to our fundamental needs roads,electricity,healthy,and feeding.

GEJ administration is the best reason because with no little support from south east nd north east he is doing well.APC is just making mouth nd if look at the members of the party they look more hungry than the PDP.

I have set my marking schme, these are the results: security=2%, elcetricty =24%, education =39%, health =41%, water =13%, agriculture =75%, corruption = 85%, malnipulation =97%, statistical malnipulation =99%. so by finding the average, you can see that you scored E.

omale

Nothing to show off in his administration, all i see is fighting Amaechi for no cost. Enough of this madness.

DrP2

Natural you will see what you want to see. It is called ‘hallow effect’.

Fashola has done immensely well in Lagos but we still have more poor people in Lagos than rich people, yet the obligations of LGAs and the state to people in Lagos are more in terms of constitutional responsibilities.

The federal govt under GEJ needs to do more but in Aviation, roads rehabilitation, expanding infrastructure for tertiary education, the power sector, agriculture and rail. I cant remember any civilian govt that has put in as much effort under 3years while facing as much internal and external political opposition

Albito

God bless you for your fairness in scoring him.

DrP2

The word actually is ‘halo effect’

Whatever! I am glad Okonjo Iweala did join in ensuring that the Lagos-Benin express is back to reasonable condition because she expressed umbrage on this when she was out of office.

It is not easy to please everyone but if they keep the same standards and efforts as they have done with the airports and extend it to ther areas, they do not need to worry about 2015 those who benefit will remember

Femi

How can he score himself? He is below average as far as am concerned,let him allow others to comment not him. GEJ has done nothing! Let him prove me wrong.

DrP2

Once you walk into the domestic wing of Ikeja airport you will be ashamed you said that.

Albito

OUR ELECTRICITY IS BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE, AIRPORTS BECOMING WORLD STANDARD. SECURITY CANNOT BE THE ONLY CRITERIA TO JUDGE THE PRESIDENT. LETS BE FAIR IN OUR JUDGMENT DESPITE THE SENTIMENTS.

HE IS A MESSENGER TO NIGERIA, HE HAS DONE WELL FOR BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO US.

Albito

The federal govt under GEJ needs to do more but in Aviation, roads rehabilitation, expanding infrastructure for tertiary education, the power sector, agriculture and rail. I cant remember any civilian govt that has put in as much effort under 3years while facing as much internal and external political opposition.

WE ARE WAITING TO SEE THE MAGIC OF THE NEST PRESIDENT THOUGH SECURITY WILL BE EASY BCOS THE SPONSORS WILL STOP SINCE THE AIM IS TO DESTABILIZE GEJ ADMINISTRATION. EVIL MEN

tunde

You people are just of little memory. U are giving him credit for power as if u forgot how much power contract was awarded under yaradua with a promise of completion in 2 years, this 6 years already a few of dem are now completed but most are still pending. U are now fooling urselfs saying he has tried in power while in the actual sense u should be stoning him. Railway, it was yar adua he was just fortunate to be on board while it is being completed of which u fools see the kind of railway lagos has built, that’s what we deserve that’s what APC will give us not a railway that will take 4 days from lagos to kano. So stop fooling urselfs, jonathan and pdp is a failure, look at how they are running d ngf, is that good omen for democracy, abeg make una just lock up and open ur brains, if apc comes in and fuck, we’ll know they’ve fucked not making accusations and suspicions that are not there, lagos state alone has done more strecth of roads btw 1999 till date dan the federal government built so APC and PDP are diff like daylight and darkness, osun has built more lasting roads in 2 years of ACN than pdp did for 7and :alf years. So stop fooling urselfs

Jonathan

Jonathan and pdp is a disaster to this country. They are only thriving because Nigerians are… They cannot try this nonsense in Egypt

Tony

Mr. President,

I have no doubt that you and your team are working hard. Really. But there is a huge problem: the common man cannot see or feel these “achievements”. That is a serious problem because it is the common man that will vote you in or out come 2015.

Okonjo-Iweala was talking about increased GDP, lower inflation and bulging Foreign Reserves. Good. But the common man is not feeling the effects of all of these. It is this disconnect you have to bridge before 2015. I am afraid a document will not bridge that huge gap.

Ayodele Olusegun

You can’t make your own script,even before anybody can,you will have to submitt.So after you tenure people will say.

Ero

Common rhould hold the governors and l the L.G.A system. The President has never ceased any state or LGA allocation. Lack of accurate education of decentralization of functions, make Nigerians look up to the FG for everything. We need exposure fashiö after attitudinal change.

Don

Critics are not always satisfied. Let give GEJ kudus 4 a work well done.

law

its a damn shame. most countries in the world are moving forward including Ghana and Niger. South Africa is waaay ahead of us. we cant get anything right in Nigeria. its sad to travel abroad and see development and how services are offered. I’m not condemning Goodluck because of his tribe or whatever but on stopping corruption he ranks in the negatives examples are Maina, Deizani and Alams. infrastructure and development is 0. look at that hopeless “Nigeria @ 50” sign on Aso Rock. there is no power and industries are hurting, no jobs and crime is at an all time high. insurgency in the North and South. tribes are killing each other all over the country. food prices are sky-rocketting. where do they get their economic indices from?

As of my knowledge and experiences a ruling government supposes not and should not have given any creditable administration mid-term performance to his or her administration under a democracy government like our President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan at a form of all his invited guests locally and internationally yesterday according to President Barack Obama yesterday May 29, 2013 “1,332 days. That’s how many days I have left as president” the evaluations of a ruling government are the results of public inquests and opinions of the population under their government economy policies and political policies for good or satisfactory condition of existence a state of characterized by health happiness and prosperity welfare to influence the well-being of the nation and its people Mr. President a general public opinions of your government his needed to make the correct evaluation if your government if is doing very well or not it is left for every citizens of our nation to say yes or no finally can you let the nation know how many days left as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria like the good democracy example of President Barack Obama

collins Igbozuruike

In contrast to what Lagos lawyer Bamidele Aturu said “you can’t mark yourself” a student who has fully satisfied the course-outlines practically and theoretically can mark him/herself based on the contents of that course-outline and can sincerely score him/herself. over 50% of students that contested for their grade in a particular course in some federal universities won, even when external examiners were invited. I hate destructive criticism. “if everybody/everything can be satisfied at the same time means, that the constancy of Change, is a misnomer/contraption” Mr President did not give himself a distinction rather a pass mark. in my own view, it is a humble assessment.